Re: [Z] Hardware Upgrade Review (Benchmark!)

John R. (jsharp@clark.net)
Thu, 17 Oct 1996 23:11:36 -0700

Keith Jason Uber wrote:
>
> While I'm on a roll...
>
> I've recently had my Zoomer (and two of my friends Zoomers) upgraded by
> Electronics Innovations, and thought I might ramble a bit about it.
>
> For US$66 the company based in Las Vegas, Nevada will replace your system
> clock, which will double the CPU speed of the Zoomer. I sent three
> Zoomers in one box, and their service was excellent, emailing me on
> receipt and dispatch.
>
> I managed to perform some crude benchmarking by compiling Marcus
> Groeber's GeoRaycast in EC mode. He provides a timer that counts the
> time it takes to do a "look" - a 360 degree spin. This move would require
> heavy processing and a far amount of graphic display.
>
> Before I send the Zoomer, the result was 1520.
> Upon return, it was around 750. More than 50% faster.
>
> (I'm not sure what the figure is, I think it's 15.2 seconds and 7.5
> seconds. I've run the same version on a 386 and a 486 and the numbers are
> less again... I would quote them but I've forgotten them.)
>
> On the upgraded Zoomer, the only side effects I have noticed is the
> doubling of the Serial speed (no big deal, a bonus really) and the
> doubling of the speed that sound is played at. This is a little annoying.
> You know that Hawaiian tune on the about box for Palm apps? It plays like
> it's on a 45rpm. Likewise for system beeps, and the "click" pen sound.
>
> So that's what to look out for. I recommend the Zoomer Upgrade. If
> you love the Zoomer, but it's a little slow - do it today. If you think
> the Zoomer is too slow, and this is bad and that is... just remember that
> your attitude to the device will play a large part in it's performance.
>
> I'm still working on an offline email reader and a chess program for
> GEOS. It's taking much longer than I ever dreamed, and is still a while off.
>
> Keith
> Team GEOS
>
> (Many thanks to MG for providing source with the GeoRaycast application.)

Thanks for the recommendation. I love my Zoomer -- and just got back
from a conference in which I took all my notes with it.
I'll send it for theupgrade. Did they lose all of your info onthe
Zoomer? I mean, did it come back as if it had been totally reset?

I am anxious to try a chess game on the Zoomer. Wish I could write one,
but I do not have the expertise. I would be glad to beta test it for
you - and will probbly buy it when you release it.
Jack